Intelligent vehicle charging station

ABSTRACT

An intelligent vehicle charging system for charging a fleet of autonomous vehicles throughout a network of charging stations dispersed throughout a geographic area. The intelligent vehicle charging system includes a remote control system that is in operative communication with each of the autonomous vehicles in the fleet and each of the charging stations in the network. When an autonomous vehicle is in need of a power charge, or as directed by the remote control system, the remote control system will identify an available charging station, guide the autonomous vehicle to the charging station, verify that the autonomous vehicle has arrived at the charging station, initiate the power charging process, account and bill appropriate fees for the charging process, and log all associated activity. The remote control system is also capable of remotely and instantaneously terminating the power charging process to dynamically return a vehicle back to service.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/487,220 filed on Apr. 19, 2017, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to augmenting the operation ofautonomous vehicles, and more particularly relates to systems andmethods for charging autonomous vehicles utilizing a network of chargingstations dispersed around a geographic area.

BACKGROUND

Systems have been developed for charging of autonomous vehicles, butthey generally lack the intelligence to allow automatic unattendedautonomous vehicle charging, especially for a fleet of autonomousvehicles utilizing a network of charging stations. In the context of thepresent application, autonomous vehicle refers to a vehicle equippedwith an automated driving system capable of performing all aspects ofdynamic driving that can be managed by a human driver.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to an intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method for charging a fleet of autonomous vehicles throughouta network of charging stations dispersed throughout a geographic area.The intelligent vehicle charging system maximizes the overall efficiencyof the fleet of autonomous vehicles by ensuring that the autonomousvehicles in the fleet are adequately charged and minimizing downtime forthe autonomous vehicles in the field.

The intelligent vehicle charging system includes a remote control systemthat is in operative communication with each of the autonomous vehiclesin the fleet and each of the charging stations in the network. When anautonomous vehicle is in need of a power charge, the remote controlsystem will identify an available charging station, guide the autonomousvehicle to the charging station, verify that the autonomous vehicle hasarrived at the charging station, initiate the power charging process,account and bill appropriate fees for the charging process, and log allassociated activity.

The remote control system sends the autonomous vehicle the stationlocation data 266 for the charging station (e.g., GPS coordinates), sothat the autonomous driving system of the autonomous vehicle can drivethe autonomous vehicle to the charging station. Although an autonomousvehicle may be generally guided to a charging station using conventionalpositioning systems (e.g., GPS), conventional positioning systems do notprovide the accuracy necessary to properly align an autonomous vehiclefor wireless power charging at a charging station. The intelligentvehicle charging system further includes one or more beacons at thecharging station that transmit alignment signals for aligning thevehicle at the charging station or station lane. Once the autonomousvehicle arrives at the charging station, the autonomous vehicle locksonto the beacon alignment signals that provide terminal guidance into aspecifically assigned charging station/charging lane.

Once the autonomous vehicle is guided to the charging station, theintelligent vehicle charging system identifies the autonomous vehicle,authenticates the autonomous vehicle, verifies the autonomous vehicle'spayment account, and then automatically begins the power chargingprocess. At the conclusion (or at any interrupted point) of the powercharging process, the autonomous vehicle drives away from the chargingstation and the intelligent vehicle charging system charges theappropriate fee to the autonomous vehicle's payment account. Thus, theintelligent vehicle charging system allows an autonomous vehicle todrive up to a specified charging station and conduct an autonomous powercharging session without any live (human) direction, intervention, orassistance.

Intelligent Vehicle Charging System

In one embodiment, an intelligent vehicle charging system and method ofoperating the intelligent vehicle charging system for charging a fleetof autonomous vehicles throughout a network of charging stationsincludes vehicle charging equipment installed on each autonomousvehicle, station charging equipment installed at each charging station,and a remote control system in communication with the vehicle chargingequipment on each autonomous vehicle and the station charging equipmentat each charging station. The vehicle charging equipment includes avehicle charging control system and a power receiving system operablyconnected to the vehicle charging control system. The vehicle chargingcontrol system transmits to the remote control system a unique vehicleID, real-time vehicle location data and real-time power charge statusdata (e.g., available power pack capacity) corresponding to theautonomous vehicle on which the vehicle charging control system isinstalled. The station charging equipment includes a power transmittingsystem connected to a power supply and a station charging control systemoperably connected to the power transmitting system. The stationcharging control system transmits to the remote control system a uniquestation ID, station location data and real-time station/laneavailability data corresponding to the charging station where thestation charging control system is installed. The remote control systemdirects a selected autonomous vehicle to a selected charging station fora power charging session and sends the station location data for theselected charging station to the vehicle charging control system of theselected autonomous vehicle for guiding the autonomous vehicle to thecharging station. The station charging control system at the selectedcharging station transmits alignment signals to the vehicle chargingcontrol system of the selected autonomous vehicle for aligning theautonomous vehicle with respect to the power transmitting system at theselected charging station. The power transmitting system at the selectedcharging station transfers electric power to the power receiving systemof the selected autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the remote control system transmits to the vehicle charging controlsystem of the selected autonomous vehicle the station ID correspondingto the selected charging station; and the vehicle charging controlsystem uses the alignment signals only from the selected chargingstation associated with the received station ID for aligning theautonomous vehicle with respect to the power transmitting system at thecharging station.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the station charging control system includes one or more beacons locatedat each charging station; and the one or more beacons at the selectedcharging station transmit the alignment signals to the vehicle chargingcontrol system of the selected autonomous vehicle, or in the case ofmultiple charging equipment, the alignment to a designated charginglane.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the station charging control system includes one or more sensors locatedat each charging station; and the one or more sensors detect thepresence of the selected autonomous vehicle at the selected chargingstation.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the station charging control system includes one or more sensors locatedat each charging station; and the one or more sensors detect thepresence of an autonomous vehicle at a corresponding charging station toprovide real-time charging station availability data to the remotecontrol system.

In some of the embodiments of the intelligent vehicle charging systemand method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system, thevehicle charging control system sends the station charging controlsystem the vehicle ID for the autonomous vehicle present at the chargingstation.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the station charging control system sends the remote control system thevehicle ID for the autonomous vehicle present at the charging stationand the station ID of the charging station; and the remote controlsystem authenticates the vehicle ID of the autonomous vehicle present atthe charging station based on the vehicle ID of the selected autonomousvehicle and the station ID of the selected charging station that areassigned to each other.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the power transmitting system at the selected charging stationautomatically transfers electric power to the power receiving system ofthe selected autonomous vehicle after the vehicle ID is authenticated.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the remote control system sends the vehicle ID for the selectedautonomous vehicle to the selected charging station; and the stationcharging control system at the selected charging station authenticatesthe vehicle ID from the autonomous vehicle present at the selectedcharging station based on the vehicle ID for the selected autonomousvehicle received from the remote control system.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the power transmitting system at the selected charging stationautomatically transfers electric power to the power receiving system ofthe selected autonomous vehicle after the vehicle ID is authenticated.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the station charging control system at the selected charging stationmonitors the power transferred to the selected autonomous vehicle andtransmits to the remote control system power data about the powertransferred to the selected autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the remote control system stores information for a billing or paymentaccount associated with each of the autonomous vehicles; and the remotecontrol system charges a fee for the power charging session to thebilling or payment account associated with the selected autonomousvehicle based on the power data received from the charging controlsystem at the selected charging station about the power transferred tothe selected autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the vehicle charging control system is operably connected to anautonomous driving system of the autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the vehicle charging control system transmits the station location datafor the selected charging station to the autonomous driving system forguiding the autonomous vehicle to the selected charging station.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the vehicle charging control system transmits driving commands to theautonomous driving system based on the alignment signals for aligningthe selected autonomous vehicle with respect to the power transmittingsystem at the selected charging station.

In some of the embodiments of the above system and method, the powerreceiving system is configured to be operably connected to a powerstorage system of the autonomous vehicle and is configured to transmitthe power received from the power transmitting system at the chargingstation to the power storage system of the autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the power transmitting system at the charging station wirelesslytransfers electric power to the power receiving system of the autonomousvehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the power receiving system includes a receiver coil configured to beinductively coupled to a transmitter coil in the power transmittingsystem to wirelessly transfer electric power.

In some of the embodiments of the above system and method, the vehiclecharging control system communicates with the remote control system viaa wireless communication link.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the station charging control system sends the alignment signals to thevehicle charging control system via a wireless communication link.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the vehicle charging control system of each autonomous vehicle sends theremote control system the real-time vehicle location data correspondingto each autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the vehicle charging control system of each autonomous vehicle sends theremote control system the real-time power charge status datacorresponding to each autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the remote control system terminates the power charging session based onthe real-time power charge status data of the selected autonomousvehicle received from the vehicle charging control system of theselected autonomous vehicle.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the vehicle charging control system of the selected autonomous vehiclesends the station charging control system at the selected chargingstation the real-time power charge status data during the power chargingsession; the station charging control system at the selected chargingstation sends the remote control system the real-time power chargestatus data of the selected autonomous vehicle; and the remote controlsystem terminates the power charging session based on the real-timepower charge status data of the selected autonomous vehicle receivedfrom the station charging control system at the selected chargingstation.

In some of the embodiments of the above intelligent vehicle chargingsystem and method of operating the intelligent vehicle charging system,the remote control system assigns the selected autonomous vehicle to theselected charging station for the power charging session based on thereal-time power charge status data of the selected autonomous vehicle,the real-time vehicle location data for the selected autonomous vehicle,the station location data for the selected charging station and thereal-time station availability data for the selected charging station.

Remote Control System

In one embodiment, a remote control system and method of operating theremote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle includes acomputer server in communication with a plurality of autonomous vehiclesand a plurality of charging stations. The computer server storesinformation about each of the autonomous vehicles and information abouteach of the charging stations. The information about each of theautonomous vehicles includes a unique vehicle ID for each autonomousvehicle, real-time vehicle location data for each autonomous vehicle andreal-time power charge status data (e.g., available power pack capacity)for each autonomous vehicle. The information about each of the chargingstations includes a unique station ID for each charging station, stationlocation data for each charging station and real-time stationavailability data for each charging station. The computer server assignsa selected autonomous vehicle to a selected charging station for a powercharging session and sends the station location data for the selectedcharging station to the selected autonomous vehicle for guiding theautonomous vehicle to the charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server sends the station ID for the selected chargingstation to the selected autonomous vehicle for guiding the autonomousvehicle to the charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server receives the real-time vehicle location data fromeach autonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server receives the real-time power charge status data fromeach autonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server receives the real-time power charge status data ofthe selected autonomous vehicle from the selected charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server terminates the power charging session based on thereal-time power charge status data of the selected autonomous vehiclereceived from the selected charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server assigns the selected autonomous vehicle to theselected charging station for the power charging session based on thereal-time power charge status data of the selected autonomous vehicle,the real-time vehicle location data for the selected autonomous vehicle,the station location data for the selected charging station and thereal-time station availability data for the selected charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server receives from the charging station availability databased on whether there is an autonomous vehicle present at the chargingstation.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server sends the vehicle ID for the selected autonomousvehicle to the selected charging station for authenticating theautonomous vehicle at the charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server receives from the charging station the vehicle IDfor the autonomous vehicle present at the charging station and thestation ID of the charging station.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server authenticates the vehicle ID of the autonomousvehicle present at the charging station based on the vehicle ID of theselected autonomous vehicle and the station ID of the selected chargingstation that are assigned to each other.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server receives from the selected charging station powerdata about the power transferred to the selected autonomous vehicleduring the power charging session.

In some embodiments of the above remote control system and method ofoperating the remote control system for charging an autonomous vehicle,the computer server stores information for a billing account associatedwith each of the autonomous vehicles and charges a fee for the powercharging session to the billing account associated with the selectedautonomous vehicle based on the power data received from the chargingcontrol system at the selected charging station about the powertransferred to the selected autonomous vehicle.

Vehicle Charging Equipment

In one embodiment, charging equipment for an autonomous vehicle and amethod of operating the charging equipment for the autonomous vehicleincludes a vehicle charging control system configured to be operablyconnected to the autonomous vehicle and a power receiving systemconfigured to be operably connected to the autonomous vehicle. Thevehicle charging control system communicates with a remote controlsystem to receive station location data for a charging station forguiding the autonomous vehicle to the charging station/charging lane.The power receiving system receives electric power from a powertransmitting system at the charging station and transfers electric powerto the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle charging control system receivesalignment signals from the charging station for aligning the autonomousvehicle with respect to the power transmitting system at the chargingstation/lane.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the vehicle charging control system communicateswith the remote control system to receive a unique station ID associatedwith the charging station and uses the alignment signals only from thecharging station associated with the station ID for aligning theautonomous vehicle with respect to the power transmitting system at thecharging station/lane.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the vehicle charging control system is configured tobe operably connected to an autonomous driving system of the autonomousvehicle.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the vehicle charging control system transmits thestation location data for the charging station to the autonomous drivingsystem for guiding the autonomous vehicle to the charging station.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the vehicle charging control system transmitsdriving commands to the autonomous driving system based on the alignmentsignals for aligning the autonomous vehicle with respect to the powertransmitting system at the charging station.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the power receiving system is configured to beoperably connected to a power storage system of the autonomous vehicleand is configured to transmit the power received from the powertransmitting system at the charging station to the power storage systemof the autonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the power receiving system wirelessly receiveselectric power from the power transmitting system at the chargingstation.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the power receiving system includes a receiver coilconfigured to be inductively coupled to a transmitter coil in the powertransmitting system to wirelessly transfer electric power.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the vehicle charging control system communicateswith the remote control system via a wireless communication link and thevehicle charging control system receives the alignment signals via awireless communication link.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, wherein the vehicle charging control systemtransmits power charge status data of the autonomous vehicle to theremote control system and a station charging control system at thecharging station.

In some embodiments of the above charging equipment for the autonomousvehicle and a method of operating the charging equipment for theautonomous vehicle, the vehicle charging control system transmitsreal-time vehicle location data for the autonomous vehicle to the remotecontrol system.

Charging Station

In one embodiment, an autonomous vehicle charging facility and method ofoperating the autonomous vehicle charging facility includes one or morecharging stations/charging lanes, a power transmitting system located ateach charging station/charging lane, the power transmitting system beingconnected to a power supply, and a station charging control systemoperably connected to the power transmitting system at each chargingstation/charging lane. The station charging control system is configuredto communicate with a remote control system to receive a vehicle ID fora selected autonomous vehicle assigned to a selected chargingstation/charging lane for a power charging session. The station chargingcontrol system is configured to transmit alignment signals to theselected autonomous vehicle for aligning the autonomous vehicle withrespect to the power transmitting system at the selected chargingstation/charging lane. The power transmitting system is configured totransfer electric power to the autonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system includes one or more beacons located ateach charging station/charging lane, where the one or more beacons atthe selected charging station/charging lane transmit the alignmentsignals to the selected autonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system includes one or more sensors located ateach charging station/charging lane, which detect the presence of theselected autonomous vehicle at the selected charging station/charginglane.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system receives the vehicle ID from theselected autonomous vehicle at the selected charging station/charginglane.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system is programmed with a unique chargingstation ID corresponding to each charging station/charging lane and thestation charging control system transmits the vehicle ID and chargingstation ID to the remote control system for the selected autonomousvehicle present at the selected charging station/charging lane.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system authenticates the vehicle ID from theautonomous vehicle at the charging station/charging lane based on thevehicle ID for the selected autonomous vehicle assigned to the chargingstation/charging lane, which is received from the remote control system.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thepower transmitting system automatically transfers electric power to theautonomous vehicle after the vehicle ID is authenticated.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system monitors the power transferred to theautonomous vehicle and transmits power data about the power transferredto the autonomous vehicle to the remote control system.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thepower transmitting system wirelessly transfers electric power to theautonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thepower transmitting system includes a transmitter coil configured to beinductively coupled to a receiver coil in the autonomous vehicle towirelessly transfer electric power.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system receives power charge status data (e.g.,available power pack capacity) for the autonomous vehicle from thevehicle charging control system during the power charging session.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system terminates the power charging sessionbased on the power charge status data of the autonomous vehicle.

In some embodiments of the above autonomous vehicle charging facilityand method of operating the autonomous vehicle charging facility, thestation charging control system transmits the power charge status datafor the autonomous vehicle to the remote control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, isbetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary embodiments areshown in the drawings, it being understood, however, that the presentapplication is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary intelligent vehiclecharging system;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of vehicle charging equipment of theexemplary intelligent vehicle charging system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a charging facility of the exemplaryintelligent vehicle charging system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a remote control system of theexemplary intelligent vehicle charging system of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flow diagram for the operation of theexemplary intelligent vehicle charging system of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the various exemplary embodiments are described in furtherdetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described. It is also to be understood that theterminology used is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims of thepresent application.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like features of thesystems and methods of the present application. Accordingly, althoughcertain descriptions may refer only to certain figures and referencenumerals, it should be understood that such descriptions might beequally applicable to like reference numerals in other figures.

The present application is directed to an intelligent vehicle chargingsystem 10 for charging a fleet of autonomous vehicles 100 throughout anetwork of charging stations dispersed throughout a geographic area. Theintelligent vehicle charging system 10 communicates with each of theautonomous vehicles 100 in the fleet and each of the charging stationsin the network. When an autonomous vehicle 100 is in need of a powercharge, intelligent vehicle charging system 10 identifies an availablecharging station, guides the autonomous vehicle 100 to the chargingstation or charging lane, verifies that the autonomous vehicle 100 hasarrived at the charging station/charging lane, initiates the powercharging process, accounts and bills appropriate fees for the chargingprocess, and logs all associated activity.

As shown in FIG. 1 , intelligent vehicle charging system 10 comprisesvehicle charging equipment 120 installed on each autonomous vehicle 100in the fleet, a network of charging facilities 200, and a remote controlsystem 300 in communication with the vehicle charging equipment 120 onthe fleet of autonomous vehicles 100 and with the network of chargingfacilities 200. Autonomous vehicles 100 may be electric vehicles withelectric power storage systems (e.g., electric battery packs) andcharging facilities 200 may include electric charging stations/charginglanes for transferring electric power to autonomous vehicles 100.

As shown in FIG. 2 , vehicle charging equipment 120 on each autonomousvehicle 100 includes a vehicle charging control system 140 and a powerreceiving system 160 that are operably connected to each other. Vehiclecharging control system 140 is configured to be operably connected to anautonomous driving system of the autonomous vehicle 100. Power receivingsystem 160 is configured to be operably connected to a power storagesystem (e.g., electric battery pack) of the autonomous vehicle 100 totransmit power received from charging facility 200 to the power storagesystem of the autonomous vehicle 100. Power receiving system 160includes a receiver coil 162 configured to be inductively coupled to atransmitter coil at charging facility 200 to wirelessly transferelectric power to the autonomous vehicle 100.

Vehicle charging control systems 140 of the autonomous vehicles 100communicate with charging facilities 200 and remote control system 300to send and receive the necessary data for guiding and charging thefleet of autonomous vehicles 100. Vehicle charging control systems 140communicate with charging facilities 200 via wireless communicationlinks established by means of suitable communication protocols (e.g.,BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®, etc.). Also, vehicle charging controlsystems 140 communicate with the remote control system 300 viacommunication links that are established by means of suitablecommunication protocols (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®, Ethernet,SAP®, SAS®, ATP, GSM, TCP/IP, etc.) and are, at least in part,established wirelessly.

The functions of vehicle charging control systems 140 described hereinmay be implemented using computer applications comprising computerprogram code stored in a computer-readable medium that is executed by acomputer processor. The functions of vehicle charging control systems140 described herein may also be implemented in programmable hardwaredevices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable arraylogic, programmable logic devices or the like. Further, functions ofvehicle charging control systems 140 described herein may be implementedusing some combination of computer program(s) executed by a computerprocessor and programmable hardware devices. Thus, vehicle chargingcontrol systems 140 of the present application comprise suitablecomputer hardware and software for performing the desired functions andare not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

As shown in FIG. 3 , each charging facility 200 in the network includesone or more charging stations/lanes 220, a power transmitting system 240at each charging station/lane 220, and a station charging control system260 operably connected to the power transmitting system 240 at eachcharging station/lane 220. Station charging control system 260 includesone or more beacons 272 located at each charging station/lane 220 totransmit alignment signals 262 to vehicle charging control system 140 ofan autonomous vehicle 100 for properly aligning the autonomous vehicle100 at charging station 220 for charging. Beacons 272 wirelesslytransmit alignment signals 262 to vehicle charging control system 140 ofan autonomous vehicle 100 using any suitable communication protocols(e.g., BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®, etc.). Station charging controlsystem 260 also includes one or more sensors at each charging station220 for detecting the presence of an autonomous vehicle 100 at thecharging station 220 and providing real-time charging stationavailability data to remote control system 300. Power transmittingsystem 240 at each charging station 220 includes a transmitter coil 242configured to be inductively coupled to receiver coil 162 in powerreceiving system 160 of an autonomous vehicle 100 to wirelessly transferelectric power to the autonomous vehicle 100. The wireless transfer ofelectric power from charging stations 220 to the autonomous vehicles 100may be implemented using known wireless charging systems for electricvehicles such as, for example, the systems described in U.S. Pat. No.8,975,864 and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0075249, whichare herein incorporated by reference.

Station charging control systems 260 of charging stations 220communicate with vehicle charging control systems 140 of the autonomousvehicles 100 and remote control system 300 to send and receive thenecessary data for guiding and charging the fleet of autonomous vehicles100. Station charging control systems 260 of charging stations 220communicate with vehicle charging control systems 140 of the autonomousvehicles 100 via wireless communication links established by means ofsuitable communication protocols (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®,etc.). Also, station charging control systems 260 of charging stations220 communicate with remote control system 300 via communication linksthat are established by means of suitable communication protocols (e.g.,BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®, Ethernet, SAP®, SAS®, ATP, GSM, TCP/IP,etc.) and are, at least in part, established wirelessly.

The functions of station charging control systems 260 described hereinmay be implemented using computer applications comprising computerprogram code stored in a computer-readable medium that is executed by acomputer processor. The functions of station charging control systems260 described herein may also be implemented in programmable hardwaredevices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable arraylogic, programmable logic devices or the like. Further, functions ofstation charging control systems 260 described herein may be implementedusing some combination of computer program(s) executed by a computerprocessor and programmable hardware devices. Thus, station chargingcontrol systems 260 of the present application comprise suitablecomputer hardware and software for performing the desired functions andare not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the remote control system 300 includes one or morecomputer servers 320 in a centralized or distributed computingarchitecture. The functions of computer server 320 described herein maybe implemented using computer applications comprising computer programcode stored in a computer-readable medium that is executed by a computerprocessor. The functions of computer server 320 described herein mayalso be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logicdevices or the like. Further, functions of computer server 320 describedherein may be implemented using some combination of computer program(s)executed by a computer processor and programmable hardware devices.Thus, computer server 320 of the present application comprises suitablecomputer hardware and software for performing the desired functions andare not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The executable computer program code may comprise one or more physicalor logical blocks of computer instructions, which may be organized as anobject, procedure, process or function. For example, the executablecomputer program code may be distributed over several different codepartitions or segments, among different programs, and across severaldevices. Accordingly, the executable computer program need not bephysically located together, but may comprise separate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,comprise the computer application and achieve the stated purpose for thecomputer application.

Computer server 320 stores and maintains vehicle records 322 for each ofthe autonomous vehicles 100 in the fleet, station records 324 for eachof the charging stations in the network, session records 326 for eachpower charging session, billing or payment account records 328 for eachof the autonomous vehicles 100 in the fleet, and an activity log 330 forall monitored activity in intelligent vehicle charging system 10.Vehicle records 322 may include a unique vehicle ID 142 for eachautonomous vehicle 100, real-time vehicle location data 144 for eachautonomous vehicle 100 (e.g., GPS coordinates), real-time power chargestatus data 146 for each autonomous vehicle 100, and scheduled passengerrequest for each autonomous vehicle 100. The real-time power chargestatus data 146 includes a measure of power available in the autonomousvehicle 100 (e.g., power storage system of the autonomous vehicle) suchas, for example, vehicle travel distance range, percentage of batterycapacity available, units of available power or energy, etc. Stationrecords 324 may include a unique station ID 264 for each chargingstation, station location data 266 for each charging station, real-timestation availability data 268 for each charging station, and scheduledpower charging sessions for each charging station. Session records 326include vehicle ID 142, station ID 264 and power data 269 about thepower transferred (e.g., units of power or energy) for power chargingsessions of the autonomous vehicles 100 at charging stations 220.Billing or payment account records 328 include verified billing orpayment accounts for processing billing or payment of fees for powercharging sessions of the autonomous vehicles 100 at charging stations220.

Computer server 320 communicates with vehicle charging control systems140 of the fleet of autonomous vehicles 100 and with station chargingcontrol systems 260 in the network of charging stations 220 to send andreceive the necessary data for guiding and charging the fleet ofautonomous vehicles 100. Vehicle charging control system 140 transmitsto remote control system 300 vehicle ID 142, real-time vehicle locationdata 144 and real-time power charge status data 146 corresponding to theautonomous vehicle 100 on which vehicle charging control system 140 isinstalled. Station charging control system 260 transmits to remotecontrol system 300 station ID 264, station location data 266 andreal-time station availability data 268 corresponding to the chargingstation where station charging control system 260 is installed. Remotecontrol system 300 communicates with station charging control systems260 of charging stations 220 via communication links that areestablished by means of suitable communication protocols (e.g.,BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®, Ethernet, SAP®, SAS®, ATP, GSM, TCP/IP,etc.). Remote control system 300 communicates with vehicle chargingcontrol systems 140 of the autonomous vehicles 100 via communicationlinks that are established by means of suitable communication protocols(e.g., BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, ZIGBEE®, Ethernet, SAP®, SAS®, ATP, GSM,TCP/IP, etc.) and are, at least in part, established wirelessly.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in operation, computer server 320 receives anautonomous vehicle trip request from a user, which includes a pick-uplocation, a drop-off location and any intervening stop location(s).After receiving an autonomous vehicle request, computer server 320communicates with autonomous vehicles 100 in the fleet and determinesthe location of each autonomous vehicles 100 in the fleet based onreal-time vehicle location data 144 received from autonomous vehicles100 and determines the power charge status (e.g., battery charge level)of each autonomous vehicles 100 in the fleet based on real-time powercharge status data 146. Computer server 320 determines the proximity ofeach autonomous vehicle 100 in the fleet to the pick-up location for theautonomous vehicle trip request, and determines which autonomousvehicle(s) 100 has sufficient power charge to fulfill the autonomousvehicle trip request and drive to a charging station 220 after the tripis completed. Computer server 320 assigns an autonomous vehicle 100 thatis located closest to the pick-up location and that has sufficient powercharge to fulfill the autonomous vehicle trip request and drive to acharging station 220 after the trip is completed. In accordance with thepresent invention, an autonomous vehicle 100 may be selected for a triprequest even if it is in the process of re-charging. For example, if theassigned autonomous vehicle 100 is in the process of a power chargingsession, computer server 320 terminates the power charging session bydirecting charging station 220 where the vehicle is charging toterminate the power charging session or by directing the assignedautonomous vehicle 100 to simply drive off to the pick-up location fromcharging station 220 where the vehicle is charging.

Because computer server 320 monitors real-time power charge status data146 for each autonomous vehicle 100 in the fleet, computer server 320can efficiently manage the fleet of autonomous vehicles 100 by optimallyassigning an autonomous vehicle 100 for an autonomous vehicle triprequest. The assignment of an autonomous vehicle 100 for an autonomousvehicle trip request can be made whether the autonomous vehicle 100 isin the process of a power charging session or not. Depending on demandand vehicle availability, a particular autonomous vehicle 100 mightnever be fully charged. The completely automated and wireless featuresof the power charging process allows an instantaneous and dynamic “driveoff” of autonomous vehicle 100 during a power charging session. Computerserver 320 may also be programmed to require an optimal number ofautonomous vehicles 100 to be charged to a certain level to potentiallyaccommodate extended trips.

Also, if an autonomous vehicle 100 has a power charge status below acertain pre-defined level and/or has some down-time (i.e., does not havea scheduled passenger pick-up request) and there is an availablecharging station 220 within close proximity of the vehicle's location,then computer server 320 may assign autonomous vehicle 100 to chargingstation 220 for a power charging session. Computer server 320 monitorsthe real-time power charge status data 146 of the autonomous vehicles100 in the fleet and the real-time station availability data 268 ofcharging stations 220 in the network to assign a selected autonomousvehicle 100 to a selected charging station/lane 220 for a power chargingsession. Computer server 320 assigns a selected autonomous vehicle 100to a selected charging station/lane 220 for the power charging sessionbased on the real-time power charge status data 146 of the selectedautonomous vehicle 100, the real-time vehicle location data 144 for theselected autonomous vehicle 100, the station location data 266 for theselected charging station/lane 220 and the real-time stationavailability data 268 for the selected charging station/lane 220. Once aselected autonomous vehicle 100 is assigned to a selected chargingstation/lane 220 for a power charging session, computer server 320 sendsstation location data 266 for selected charging station/lane 220 toselected autonomous vehicle 100 for guiding autonomous vehicle 100 tocharging station 220. More particularly, computer server 320 may sendGPS coordinates corresponding to the location of selected chargingstation 220 to vehicle charging control system 140 of selectedautonomous vehicle 100. Vehicle charging control system 140 of selectedautonomous vehicle 100, which is operably connected to an autonomousdriving system of the autonomous vehicle, transmits the station locationdata 266 (e.g., GPS coordinates) for selected charging station 220 tothe autonomous driving system for guiding selected autonomous vehicle100 to the selected charging station 220.

Further, computer server 320 sends the station ID 264 for selectedcharging station/lane 220 to selected autonomous vehicle 100 foraligning autonomous vehicle 100 for charging at selected chargingstation/lane 220. Once autonomous vehicle 100 arrives at chargingfacility 200 of selected charging station/lane 220, vehicle chargingcontrol system 140 of selected autonomous vehicle 100 locks onto thealignment signals 262 corresponding to the station ID 264 for selectedcharging station/lane 220 and uses only the alignment signals 262corresponding to the station ID 264 for selected charging station/lane220 for aligning the autonomous vehicle with respect to powertransmitting system 240 at selected charging station/lane 220. Vehiclecharging control system 140 transmits driving commands (e.g.,vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and/or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) commandssuch as, for example, start/stop, speed control, left/right directionalcorrection, etc.) to the autonomous driving system of autonomous vehicle100 based on the alignment signals 262 in order to guide and properlyalign selected autonomous vehicle 100 with respect to power transmittingsystem 240 at selected charging station/lane 220.

While the station location data 266 (e.g., GPS coordinates) for chargingstation 220 may be used to guide the vehicle to charging station 220,such station location data 266 typically only allows positioning ofautonomous vehicle 100 in a general location of the charging station(typically within 25 feet from the desired location). However,autonomous vehicle 100 needs to be more accurately positioned withrespect to power transmitting system 240 at selected chargingstation/lane 220 for wireless power charging, particularly for wirelesspower transmission such as, for example, wireless power transmissionaccomplished by inductively coupling transmitter coil 242 of powertransmitting system 240 at charging station 220 with receiver coil 162of power receiving system 160 in autonomous vehicle 100. Accordingly,the implementation of both station location data 266 and stationalignment signals 262 advantageously bridges the gap between the initialguidance of autonomous vehicle 100 and the alignment accuracy needed toposition selected autonomous vehicle 100 with respect to powertransmitting system 240 at selected charging station/lane 220.

Also, once selected autonomous vehicle 100 is assigned to selectedcharging station/lane 220 for a power charging session, computer server320 sends vehicle ID 142 for selected autonomous vehicle 100 to stationcharging control system 240 at selected charging station/lane 220 sothat station charging control system 240 can authenticate autonomousvehicle 100 upon arrival at charging station 220. Station chargingcontrol system 260 at selected charging station/lane 220 transmitsalignment signals 262, so that upon arrival of selected autonomousvehicle 100 to charging facility 200, vehicle charging control system140 of selected autonomous vehicle 100 locks onto the alignment signals262 corresponding to the station ID 264 for selected chargingstation/lane 220 for aligning selected autonomous vehicle 100 withrespect to power transmitting system 240 at selected chargingstation/lane 220. Station charging control system 260 includes one ormore beacons 272 located at each charging station 220, which transmitthe alignment signals 262 to vehicle charging control system 140 toguide and properly align selected autonomous vehicle 100 with respect topower transmitting system 240 at selected charging station/lane 220.

Further, station charging control system 260 includes one or moresensors 274 located at each charging station 220, which detect thepresence of an autonomous vehicle at charging station/lane 220 toprovide real-time station availability data 268 to remote control system300. Sensors 274 may be any suitable sensor for sensing the presence ofautonomous vehicle 100 (e.g., magnetic field sensors, photo-beamsensors, etc.). Station charging control system 260 sends remote controlsystem 300 real-time station availability data 268, vehicle ID 142 forautonomous vehicle 100 present at charging station 220 withcorresponding station ID 264. Remote control system 300 receivesreal-time station availability data 268, vehicle ID 142 for autonomousvehicle 100 and station ID 264 charging station 220 and records thatcharging station 220 with corresponding station ID 264 if occupied byautonomous vehicle 100 with corresponding vehicle ID 142.

When autonomous vehicle 100 is detected to be stopped and in position atcharging station 220, station charging control system 260 at chargingstation 220 communicates with vehicle charging control system 140 ofautonomous vehicle 100 to receive information including vehicle ID 142,real-time power charge status data 146, maintenance information, andother information as desired. Vehicle charging control system 140 ofautonomous vehicle 100 communicates with station charging control system260 at charging station 220 via wireless communication links establishedby means of suitable communication protocols (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®,ZIGBEE®, etc.).

Before the power charging session begins, autonomous vehicle 100 presentat charging station 220 is authenticated. In one embodiment, remotecontrol system receives from station charging control system 260 vehicleID 142 for autonomous vehicle 100 present at charging station 220 andstation ID 264 corresponding to charging station 220. Remote controlsystem 300 authenticates vehicle ID 142 of autonomous vehicle 100present at charging station 220 by verifying that vehicle ID 142corresponds to an autonomous vehicle 100 of the system's fleet and thatvehicle ID 142 corresponds to selected autonomous vehicle 100 assignedto station ID 264 of selected charging station/lane 220. In anotherembodiment, station charging control system 260 receives from remotecontrol system 300 vehicle ID 142 for selected autonomous vehicle 100assigned to the selected charging station/lane 220. Station chargingcontrol system 260 at selected charging station/lane 220 authenticatesvehicle ID 142 from autonomous vehicle 100 present at selected chargingstation/lane 220 by verifying that vehicle ID 142 from autonomousvehicle 100 present at selected charging station/lane 220 corresponds tovehicle ID 142 for selected autonomous vehicle 220 received from remotecontrol system 300.

Also, before the power charging session begins, billing or paymentaccount for autonomous vehicle 100 present at charging station 220 isverified. Remote control system 300 verifies that there is a billing orpayment account associated with vehicle ID 142 for selected autonomousvehicle 100 present at selected charging station/lane 220. Afterauthentication of vehicle ID 142 and verification of billing or paymentaccount for selected autonomous vehicle 100 present at selected chargingstation/lane 220, power transmitting system 240 at selected chargingstation/lane 220 automatically wirelessly transfers electric power topower receiving system 160 of selected autonomous vehicle 100. Forexample, station charging control system 260 at selected chargingstation/lane 220 may activate power supply to power transmitting system240 such that transmitter coil 242 in power transmitting system 240 isinductively coupled to receiver coil 162 in power receiving system 160of selected autonomous vehicle 100 to wirelessly transfer electric powerto selected autonomous vehicle 100.

A power charging session of selected autonomous vehicle 100 at selectedcharging station/lane 220 may be terminated by remote control system 300or by charging control system 260 at charging station 220. Remotecontrol system 300 terminates the power charging session based onreal-time power charge status data 146 (e.g., battery charge level)corresponding to selected autonomous vehicle 100, which may be receiveddirectly from selected autonomous vehicle 100 or from selected chargingstation/lane 220. Vehicle charging control system 140 of each autonomousvehicle 100 continuously or intermittently sends real-time power chargestatus data 146 (e.g., battery charge level) to remote control system300. But also, during a power charging session, vehicle charging controlsystem 140 of selected autonomous vehicle 100 transmits real-time powercharge status data 146 (e.g., battery charge level) to charging controlsystem 260 at selected charging station/lane 220, which charging controlsystem 260 at selected charging station/lane 220 sends to remote controlsystem 300. In order to terminate a power charging session, remotecontrol system 300 directs station charging control system 260 to shutoff power to power transmitting system 240 and commands vehicle chargingcontrol system 140 of autonomous vehicle 100 to drive away from chargingstation 220. After a power charging session is terminated and stationcharging control system 260 at charging station 220 detects thedeparture of autonomous vehicle 100, station charging control system 260sends a message to remote control system 300 indicating that chargingstation 220 is available.

While typically autonomous vehicles 100 will stay at a charging station220 until a full power charge is completed, there are circumstances thatmay affect or limit how long an autonomous vehicle 100 can practicallybe taken “off-line” for charging. For example, user requests for anautonomous vehicle 100 may demand that an autonomous vehicle 100 bedelivered to a user before a full power charge is completed. Remotecontrol system 300 reviews all available autonomous vehicles 100 in thefleet and determines whether an autonomous vehicle 100 in the middle ofa charging cycle is the best option in accordance with certainparameters (e.g., geographic location, seating capacity, etc.). Ifremote control system 300 determines that an autonomous vehicle 100 inthe process of a power charging session has sufficient charge toaccommodate a user's request (e.g., pick-up, drop-off, and travel to acharging station thereafter), remote control system 300 may terminatethe power charging session for autonomous vehicle 100 and directautonomous vehicle 100 to drive to fulfill the user's request.Alternatively, autonomous vehicle 100 may simply terminate the powercharging session by driving away from charging station 220. If stationcharging control system 260 at charging station 220 detects thedeparture of autonomous vehicle 100, station charging control system 260automatically shuts off power to power transmitting system 240.

During a power charging session, station charging control system 260 atselected charging station/lane 220 monitors the power transferred toselected autonomous vehicle 100 and transmits to remote control system300 power data 269 about the power transferred to selected autonomousvehicle 100 (e.g., units of power or energy). Remote control system 300charges a fee for the power charging session to the billing or paymentaccount associated with selected autonomous vehicle 100 based on thepower data 269 received from charging control system 260 at selectedcharging station/lane 220 about the power transferred to selectedautonomous vehicle 100.

While typical electric vehicle charging stations require human orautomated mechanisms to charge the electric vehicle, no humanintervention is necessary to charge autonomous vehicles 100 using thesystems and methods described herein. As a further result, an entirefleet of autonomous vehicles can be operated in a network and rechargedas necessary without requiring human intervention.

Although charging facilities 200 are typically provided at “off-road”locations, the systems described herein may also be implemented atposted street parking spots. This allows any street parking spotequipped as a charging station 220 to charge a vehicle while parked,thus providing “value added” revenue potential for a municipality. Forexample, “normal” down-time, such as when a vehicle is waiting for apassenger, can be maximized by charging while the vehicle is waiting. Inthis regard, charging stations can be provided at locations where apassenger may require the vehicle to wait while running an errand (e.g.,a grocery store, mall, gym, school, or the like). A street parking spotequipped as a charging station 220 can also supply a municipality withvehicle ID 142 and “timed parked” information, eliminating the need forthe municipality to purchase and maintain a separate parking revenuesystem. The use of charging station 220 equipment is also envisioned foruse in “taxi lines” at airports, hotels, public attraction areas, etc.,where multiple vehicles generally queue up in designated assignmentareas awaiting fares. In these areas, power transmitting systems 240 maybe installed, thus allowing charging to take place during unproductiverevenue time situations. By charging the vehicle while it is waiting fora fare, the vehicle increases its futures potential utilization factorby reducing the future charging needs.

Because intelligent vehicle charging system 10 can benefit vehicles byeven charging for a brief interval, the length of time (or lack thereof)that a vehicle is charged does not matter—every charging opportunity isa net “gain” to a service vehicle because every charging increases avehicle's in-the-field operation time and because the efficiency of thepower charging process is the same regardless of the charging duration.In addition, by constantly “topping off” the typically used Lithiumbattery packs, the service life of the battery packs is enhanced byminimizing the depth of the battery discharge cycle.

Because of the continuous data link from each individual chargingstation 220 to remote control system 300, the link can also be used forreal-time “available/occupied status” of each charging station 220throughout the network. This information can be provided totransportation network companies (TNCs) in the area, as well asindividual autonomous vehicles and non-autonomous vehicles as needed.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention hasbeen presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the formdisclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above disclosure. The embodiments described were chosen to bestillustrate the principles of the invention and practical applicationsthereof to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize theinvention in various embodiments and with various modifications assuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An autonomous vehicle charging facilitycomprising: a plurality of charging stations; a power transmittingsystem located at each charging station, the power transmitting systembeing connected to a power supply; and a station charging control systemoperably connected to the power transmitting system at each chargingstation; wherein each charging station is configured to wirelesslycharge a vehicle; wherein the station charging control system isconfigured to communicate with a remote control system to transmitstation location data of the plurality of charging stations and toreceive a vehicle ID for a selected autonomous vehicle assigned to aselected charging station for a power charging session; wherein thestation charging control system is configured to transmit alignmentsignals to the selected autonomous vehicle for aligning the autonomousvehicle with respect to the power transmitting system at the selectedcharging station; wherein the remote control system assigns to each ofthe plurality of charging stations the autonomous vehicle before theautonomous vehicle arrives at the vehicle charging facility and beforethe autonomous vehicle is within a range of receiving the alignmentsignals from the plurality of charging stations at the vehicle chargingfacility; and wherein the power transmitting system is configured totransfer electric power to the autonomous vehicle transmitting thevehicle ID from the selected autonomous vehicle.
 2. The autonomousvehicle charging facility according to claim 1, wherein the stationcharging control system includes one or more identification beaconslocated at each charging station; and wherein the one or moreidentification beacons at the selected charging station transmit thealignment signals for a specific charging station to the selectedautonomous vehicle.
 3. The autonomous vehicle charging facilityaccording to claim 1, wherein the station charging control systemincludes one or more sensors located at each charging station; andwherein the one or more sensors detect the presence of the selectedautonomous vehicle at the selected charging station.
 4. The autonomousvehicle charging facility according to claim 3, wherein the stationcharging control system receives the vehicle ID from the selectedautonomous vehicle at the selected charging station.
 5. The autonomousvehicle charging facility according to claim 4, wherein the stationcharging control system is programmed with a unique charging station IDcorresponding to each charging station; and wherein the station chargingcontrol system receives and forwards to the remote control system aspecific vehicle ID and charging station ID to the remote control systemfor the selected autonomous vehicle present at the selected chargingstation.
 6. The autonomous vehicle charging facility according to claim4, wherein the station charging control system authenticates the vehicleID from the autonomous vehicle at the charging station based on thevehicle ID for the selected autonomous vehicle assigned to the chargingstation, which is received from the remote control system.
 7. Theautonomous vehicle charging facility according to claim 4, wherein thepower transmitting system automatically transfers electric power to theautonomous vehicle after the vehicle ID is authenticated as beingassociated with the autonomous vehicle assigned to the selected chargingstation by the remote control system.
 8. The autonomous vehicle chargingfacility according to claim 1, wherein the station charging controlsystem monitors the power transferred to the autonomous vehicle andtransmits power data about the power transferred to the autonomousvehicle to the remote control system.
 9. The autonomous vehicle chargingfacility according to claim 1, wherein the power transmitting systemwirelessly transfers electric power to the autonomous vehicle.
 10. Theautonomous vehicle charging facility according to claim 9, wherein thepower transmitting system includes a transmitter coil configured to beinductively coupled to a receiver coil in the autonomous vehicle towirelessly transfer electric power.
 11. The autonomous vehicle chargingfacility according to claim 1, wherein the station charging controlsystem receives power charge status data for the autonomous vehicle fromthe vehicle charging control system during the power charging session.12. The autonomous vehicle charging facility according to claim 11,wherein the station charging control system terminates the powercharging session based on the power charge status data of the autonomousvehicle or a specific command from the remote control system.
 13. Theautonomous vehicle charging facility according to claim 11, wherein thestation charging control system transmits the power charge status datafor the autonomous vehicle to the remote control system.
 14. Chargingstation equipment comprising: a power transmitting system configured tobe connected to a power supply; and a station charging control systemconfigured to be operably connected to the power transmitting system;wherein the station charging control system is configured to communicatewith a remote control system to transmit station location data of aplurality of charging stations and to receive a vehicle ID for aselected autonomous vehicle assigned for a power charging session;wherein each charging station is dynamically configured to wirelesslycharge a specific vehicle; wherein the station charging control systemis configured to transmit alignment signals to the selected autonomousvehicle for aligning the autonomous vehicle with respect to the powertransmitting system; wherein the remote control system assigns to eachof the plurality of charging stations the autonomous vehicle before theautonomous vehicle arrives at the vehicle charging facility and beforethe autonomous vehicle is within a range of receiving the alignmentsignals from the plurality of charging stations at the vehicle chargingfacility; and wherein the power transmitting system is configured totransfer electric power to the autonomous vehicle transmitting thevehicle ID from the selected autonomous vehicle.
 15. The chargingstation equipment according to claim 14, wherein the station chargingcontrol system includes one or more identification beacons; and whereinthe one or more beacons transmit the alignment signals to the selectedautonomous vehicle.
 16. The charging station equipment according toclaim 14, wherein the station charging control system includes one ormore sensors; and wherein the one or more sensors detect the presence ofthe selected autonomous vehicle.
 17. The charging station equipmentaccording to claim 16, wherein the station charging control systemreceives the vehicle ID from the selected autonomous vehicle.
 18. Thecharging station equipment according to claim 17, wherein the stationcharging control system is programmed with a unique charging station ID;and wherein the station charging control system transmits the vehicle IDand charging station ID to the remote control system for the detectedautonomous vehicle.
 19. The charging station equipment according toclaim 17, wherein the station charging control system authenticates thevehicle ID from the autonomous vehicle as being the autonomous vehicleassigned to the selected charging station by the remote control systembased on the vehicle ID for the selected autonomous vehicle, which isreceived from the remote control system.
 20. The charging stationequipment according to claim 17, wherein the power transmitting systemautomatically transfers electric power to the autonomous vehicle afterthe vehicle ID is authenticated.
 21. The charging station equipmentaccording to claim 14, wherein the station charging control systemmonitors the power transferred to the autonomous vehicle and transmitspower data about the power transferred to the autonomous vehicle to theremote control system.
 22. The charging station equipment according toclaim 14, wherein the power transmitting system wirelessly transferselectric power to the autonomous vehicle.
 23. The charging stationequipment according to claim 22, wherein the power transmitting systemincludes a transmitter coil configured to be inductively coupled to areceiver coil in the autonomous vehicle to wirelessly transfer electricpower.
 24. The charging station equipment according to claim 22, whereinthe station charging control system receives power charge status datafor the autonomous vehicle from the vehicle charging control systemduring the power charging session.
 25. The charging station equipmentaccording to claim 24, wherein the station charging control systemterminates the power charging session based on the power charge statusdata of the autonomous vehicle or a specific command from the remotecontrol system.
 26. The charging station equipment according to claim24, wherein the station charging control system transmits the powercharge status data for the autonomous vehicle to the remote controlsystem.
 27. A method of electrically charging an autonomous vehicle at acharging station comprising the steps of: a station charging controlsystem communicating with a remote control system to transmit stationlocation data of a plurality of charging stations and to receive avehicle ID for a selected autonomous vehicle assigned for a powercharging session; the station charging control system transmittingalignment signals to the selected autonomous vehicle for aligning theautonomous vehicle with respect to a power transmitting system; and thepower transmitting system transferring electric power to the autonomousvehicle transmitting the vehicle ID from the selected autonomousvehicle; wherein the remote control system assigns to each of theplurality of charging stations the autonomous vehicle before theautonomous vehicle arrives at the vehicle charging facility and beforethe autonomous vehicle is within a range of receiving the alignmentsignals from the plurality of charging stations at the vehicle chargingfacility; and wherein each charging station is configured to wirelesslycharge a vehicle.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein thestation charging control system includes one or more identificationbeacons corresponding to a specific charging station; and wherein theone or more beacons transmit the alignment signals to the selectedautonomous vehicle.
 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein thestation charging control system includes one or more sensors; andwherein the one or more sensors detect the presence of the selectedautonomous vehicle.
 30. The method according to claim 29, furthercomprising the step of: the station charging control system receivingthe vehicle ID from the selected autonomous vehicle.
 31. The methodaccording to claim 30, wherein the station charging control system isprogrammed with a unique charging station ID; and further comprising thestep of: the station charging control system transmitting the vehicle IDand charging station ID to the remote control system for the detectedautonomous vehicle.
 32. The method according to claim 30, furthercomprising the step of: the station charging control systemauthenticating the vehicle ID from the autonomous vehicle as beingassociated with the autonomous vehicle assigned to the selected chargingstation by the remote control system based on the vehicle ID for theselected autonomous vehicle, which is received from the remote controlsystem.
 33. The method according to claim 30, wherein the powertransmitting system automatically transfers electric power to theautonomous vehicle after the vehicle ID is authenticated.
 34. The methodaccording to claim 27, further comprising the steps of: the stationcharging control system monitoring the power transferred to theautonomous vehicle; and the station charging control system transmittingpower data about the power transferred to the autonomous vehicle to theremote control system.
 35. The method according to claim 27, wherein thepower transmitting system wirelessly transfers electric power to theautonomous vehicle.
 36. The method according to claim 35, wherein thepower transmitting system includes a transmitter coil configured to beinductively coupled to a receiver coil in the autonomous vehicle towirelessly transfer electric power.
 37. The method according to claim27, further comprising the step of: the station charging control systemreceiving power charge status data about for the autonomous vehicle fromthe vehicle charging control system during the power charging session.38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of:the station charging control system terminating the power chargingsession based on the power charge status data of the autonomous vehicleor a specific command from the remote control system.
 39. The methodaccording to claim 37, further comprising the step of: the stationcharging control system transmitting power charge status data for theautonomous vehicle to the remote control system.
 40. The autonomousvehicle charging facility according to claim 1, wherein the stationlocation data comprises satellite navigation system coordinates.
 41. Thecharging station equipment according to claim 14, wherein the stationcharging control system is configured to be operably connected to anadditional power transmitting system, and wherein the power transmittingsystem and the additional power transmitting system are each configuredto charge a vehicle.
 42. The charging station equipment according toclaim 14, wherein the station location data comprises satellitenavigation system coordinates.
 43. The method according to claim 27,further comprising the steps of: the station charging control systemcommunicating with the remote control system to receive a vehicle ID fora second selected autonomous vehicle assigned for a power chargingsession; the station charging control system transmitting alignmentsignals to the second selected autonomous vehicle for aligning theautonomous vehicle with respect to a second power transmitting system ofanother charging station of the plurality of charging stations; and thesecond power transmitting system transferring electric power to thesecond selected autonomous vehicle.
 44. The method according to claim27, wherein the station location data comprises satellite navigationsystem coordinates.